MizzouRah's picks for this weekend

MizzouRah

11/08/2003

Looking forward to climbing over the dreaded Mendoza line against the spread, our fearless swami of predictions cuts loose with some picks and locks certain to reverse his fortunes.

Well, another sub .500 week. This weekend cost me a lot of "matchsticks" because I got talked into some bad bets and when KU went off at 13 points that just killed me. (I was going to bet a lot of matchsticks on that game but at a lower spread I chose not to). Oh well, we will continue to try and persevere.

Last week, 6-3 Straight up, 4-5 against the spread, 1-0 LOCKS

For the year: 75-30 Straight up, 44-51 ATS, 9-5 LOCKS.

This week's games (we are going by the line at the Stardust from online).

MIZZOU (-4) at Colorado - It is really unfortunate that this game could not be on TV because when MU travels to Boulder it is usually quite exciting. However, I am quite pleased with having 7 of the 8 possible Big XII games on TV this year and since I am attending this game it takes out some of the sting. ABC is pretty pathetic to veto having this game on PAY PER VIEW though during the OU/A&M broadcast.

CU has been hit pretty hard by injuries and I can't see them stopping Zack Abron and Brad Smith's (as well as now Damien Nash's) rushing attack. The CU D did well to create five turnovers against Tech but MU is much better at protecting the football than that AND the fact that with all those turnovers against THAT defense only resulted in 21 CU points is not a good sign. I always worry about road games but this one should go well for the Tigers. The CU O line and rushing attack in general is not what it was last year and that will be the difference.

PICK MIZZOU 34-21

Texas (-3) at OSU - You have to give Texas some credit for how they played last weekend. That was an impressive defensive performance. And if you look at OSU's performance at all you can't be very impressed, even against OU. The question is somewhat how well can OSU bounce back but more can they bounce back against Texas. Texas has worked over OSU in recent years. I am going to go with the momentum here and the fact that Texas might be playing for a BCS bowl. (Whehter they deserve it or not may be another question).

Pick Texas 35-24

KSU (-18) at ISU - Kansas State did not get a lot done against Baylor early as they did not take the lead until late in the first half but then they took care of business in the second half. I like betting against teams that are down against teams that have a motivation to run up the score (even though Snyder likes McCarney he wants to return to the Top 25) so this one looks obvious to me. Can you see ISU stopping the KSU run game? Neither can I.

LOCK OF THE WEEK - KSU they win 45 - 13

Nebraska (-16.5) at KU - Give Adam Barman credit. The true frosh from West Platte, MO played awfully well at Kyle Field. He will probably face an angry Husker D this week (I am hearing Whittemore might play) and that's still not a good thing for this young man. This game should get ugly. The KU rush D is not good (had MU stuck with the Abron first second and third option they would have won in Lawrence) and this one looks ugly. It wouldn't shock me to see Whittemore lead KU to the upset but the odds say pick Nebraska on this one.

Pick Nebraska 31-10

Texas Tech (-27) at Baylor - Baylor lost to A&M by how many? The way they played in Manhattan last week keeps me from locking this in but I like this game a lot.

Pick TECH 55 - 10

Texas A&M (+30.5) at OU - Tough line to call, but McNeal gave OU plenty of trouble last year and Works is out for this one. At least A&M is coming off a win.

Pick A&M they lose 38-10

Other games

I like Navy (+7.5) at Notre Dame - Navy is pretty decent and I look for them to lose a close one.

THURSDAY NIGHT - I will pick South Carolina (+7.5) at Arkansas to lose a close one as well. South Carolina beat Kentucky who easily could have defeated the Hogs.